You Can Probably Take The Red Sox Off The A.J. Burnett List

Meanwhile, Burnett has long been a favorite of owner John Henry, who owned the Marlins when the talented righthander pitched for the club, but his asking price will be so steep that at least one major league general manager believes the Red Sox will not invest the $16 million-$18 million annually that it could take to sign a pitcher who seems motivated only in seasons in which his contract is up. (Before this year, Burnett went 20-16 for the Jays, but pitched just over 300 innings combined in two seasons.)

All of that makes the 35-year-old Lowe among the most probable targets for the Red Sox — the pitcher never has been shy about declaring his fondness for Boston and East Coast baseball — largely because he is the safest and most reliable option, assuming the Sox can get him for what they would term “value.” (Nonetheless, he won’t come cheaply — plan on at least $15 million a year.)